Tom Goddard and Rezvan Ameli teach Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). They also lead mindfulness coaching groups and post-MBSR groups to support your practice. Here is one of their latest “mindfulness nuggets”. If you’d like to receive this nuggets, visit Tom’s website:
There is a practice called “so do I.”
It is not a defense of what others are doing by saying that I am doing it. It is merely an acknowledgment of the truth of our shared humanity.
It might go like this:
I notice a colleague fearfully protecting turf.
I say to myself, “she is defending her livelihood, her ability to provide for her family.So do I.”
I notice a family-member gossiping about another.
I say to myself,“she is gossiping about another. So do I.”
I learn, as I did this morning, that a friend has died.
I say to myself, “Chris died. So do I.”
Tom Goddard, April 5, 2012
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Such a practice reminds us of our common humanity. In doing so, we soften — our judgment, our bodies, our hearts. We recognize that we are not alone. And we also recognize our morality. This further makes us tender and alive and embrace our life again with vigor, a soft smile and a warm, open heart.
Simply beautiful. What a simple way to develop a practice of compassion for self and others in one small three word phrase. I’m keeping this one right at the top of my practice list. Thanks so much!!
Ahhh, thank you. Though the credit goes to Tom and Rezvan for writing it up so simply and beautifully. I’ve been practicing something similar for years now and I needed to be reminded to take this practice up again and ‘get out of myself.’
What a humbling post to read this morning… It often amazes me how we so quickly judge or hold court on others all while forgetting we do the same types of things ourselves. Such a wonderful way to approach mindfulness and compassion, thank you for sharing….
Aww thank u, dear one!
Thank you for your message. I am thankful for what you have shared. As the others have echoed this, “So do I.” Comfort and love to you and your friend’s family.
Erin. Was thinking of u today. Have u thought abt taking a picture with inspirational words written on a piece of paper with ur lovely handwriting???? I STILL have the bday wishes n poems u wrote for me. Ur writing is exquisite